demo

Dragon Age: Origins was two different games. On the console, it was capable but average role-playing game. It offered hours of content and a combat system that was deep but never fulfilled its potential on a controller. On the other hand, the PC version was a vast improvement. Sure it was the same game with better visuals (depending on your rig), but the most important factor was that the spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate felt as though it were built for mouse and keyboard.

The complexity and strategy revealed itself as players paused the game and planned out their attack. Moving around and scanning the battlefield was natural. Clicking and choosing what special move was easy and efficent.

The gap between the two versions was night and day. It was like playing an RTS on a console versus playing it on a computer.

Now, BioWare is making a second effort with the series. Dragon Age II arrives on March 8, and I had a chance to play a demo that’s going to be released Feb. 22. It’s a pretty hefty chunk of game (It takes about 45 minutes to complete.) and it’ll give players an opportunity to sample the improvements to the RPG.

The Crysis 2 multiplayer demo hits the Xbox 360 on Tuesday, but I had a chance to catch the action a little early last week at a San Francisco event. EA opened up the multiplayer for a little carnage that showed off three modes — Extraction, Team Instant Action and Crash Site — and four maps — Sanctuary, Parking Deck, Skyline and Pier 17.

When the full-game ships March 22, it will contain six gameplay modes in total (each with several variants) along with 12 maps set in New York City. They’re all diverse and detailed, taking place across deserted areas damaged by an alien invasion. There are broken walls, crashed ferries and gaping craters. Although there aren’t any civilians in these levels, there are signs that the places have been lived-in.

Players will see trailers with abandoned computers or fitness gyms amid the rooftops. Advertisements are everywhere, and the storefronts look like the belong in Manhattan. The one drawback I saw was that some maps appear as though they’ve been lifted from the single-player campaign. I was hoping for more original battle zones, but these maps aren’t bad. There’s a nice verticality to them and plenty of spaces to accommodate different styles of play.

For those who want to rewrite history or just make it the same, now you have a chance. EA is offering a Fight Night Round 4 demo today for those who preordered via GameStop. For Xbox Live Gold members, it will be available May 28 and PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Silver members on June 4.

Anyway, the demo is a three-round rematch between Pacquiao and Hatton. Look at it this way, at least this boxing demo will last longer than the actual fight.

I got in trouble for running this photo the last time on the blog. Apparently, it gave some people nightmares. I mean look at this Abomination. (Yes, that’s what the creature is called.) You’ll be fighting those things along with other creepy crawlies when F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin comes out Feb. 10.

If you can’t wait that long, a demo is getting cut right now. It’ll be on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network starting Jan. 22. Get ready to piss your pants.

Did you like Star Wars: Battlefront?Â I did.Â Great game.Â First one more than the second, but both were a great time.Â Sadly, unless it’s now a secret project with a different developer, all that’s left of Battlefront III are some awesome models.

Well I have some good news.Â Lord of the Rings: Conquest is basically Star Wars: Battlefront in Middle Earth.Â Sure an elf is no Jedi, but there’s something to be said for thrashing hobbits as an Uruk-hai.

And even better news?Â The demo is available right now on Live and PSN.Â So go get it and kill some time – and hobbits – while waiting for the playoffs to start tomorrow.

The idea of voice control in video games is compelling, and I’m surprised few developers have latched on to the idea. It’s immersive. I imagine it would be simple to use. It would be fun. Perhaps, the only thing holding the concept back is the technology and the nerve.

It’s a risky proposition. The control may not work right. It may be too weird for the audience.

Well, players can try out this new control scheme inTom Clancy’s EndWar demo on Xbox Live. From my experience, I had a good experience with the game. It’s a little cumbersome at first, but in generally, playing a real-time strategy game with my voice is entertaining.

Don’t believe me? Download the demo and try it out yourself then. This may be one of the more helpful demoes to come out in a while. Just have a glass of water or adult beverage next to you, you may get a dry throat issuing those commands.

Not to be outdone, Electronic Arts also released its launch date for Mirror’s Edge. The first-person parkourlike game will be coming out Nov. 11 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. (Gotta mark that on my review calendar.) PC folks will have to wait until later this winter.

Along with the release date, EA also said that “prior to launch” the company will also be releasing a demo on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. The demo will include a tutorial level and a segment of the single-player campaign. Folks who pre-order will get a code to unlock a Time Trial mode in the demo. Eh, that could be worth it.

I just have two pieces of advice when playing this game: Always follow the red on the screen and long jumps need a ton of momentum so get a long running start.

Now, I wonder if there’s going to be any more release date information?

As you may have heard there’s a little Star Wars game coming out, The Force something-or-other, that the kids have been buzzing about. If you’re interested in it, if that’s your thing, I guess there’s a demo on Xbox Live and PSN.

Ok, fine, I’m ridiculously excited about the existence of a demo of The Force Unleashed but I’m bitter because I can’t play it. My 360 keeps locking up on me but it won’t RRoD, it’s stuck in a limbo between ‘working’ and ‘covered under warranty’ so I’m stuck wishing I could play it but not actually doing so. But you should download it. And tell me how it is so I can live vicariously through you.

Update: I kept my 360 running long enough to finish the demo and, seriously, try this game. Even if you don’t like Star Wars. Try it. You’ll thank me.

Space Siege, the sequel of sorts to Dungeon Siege, has released a demo. It’s 935 meg but if you’re curious it’s there for the taking. Don’t let the movie scare you off, Dungeon Siege the game was great, and it’s a well-known fact that everything is better in space.